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Family Hub · Player development

The Game
Grows With Them.

From 7v7 foundations to 9v9 understanding and long-term 11v11 readiness.

We are not merely coaching the boys through another season. We are intentionally preparing them for the next version of the game.
Awaiting confirmationRules status

The format information below is based on the currently published IYSA D3 League and modified youth Laws of the Game. Rules may be updated for the 2026-27 seasonal year. Final Fall 2026 competition rules will follow the newest published IYSA rules and direct league instructions.

IYSA D3 League 2025-26 Rules↗IYSA U11/U12 Modified Laws↗

Fall 2026 competition placement

Competing at the
right level.

Our teams will compete in the IYSA D3L Silver division during the Fall 2026 season. The placement is confirmed. Final schedules, opponents, locations, and roster details will be communicated through PlayMetrics. The goal is to give the boys meaningful competition, appropriate challenge, and opportunities to apply what they are learning.

ConfirmedFall 2026
D3L Silver

Idaho Youth Soccer Association Development League 3

Teams
Idaho Surf U10 and U11 Boys Academy, subject to final roster and club scheduling details communicated through PlayMetrics.
Schedule
Awaiting publication in PlayMetrics
Opponents
Awaiting confirmation
Game locations
Awaiting confirmation
Final league rules
Verify against the 2026-27 IYSA D3 rulebook when published

George Hunt and Matt Hays may provide additional context regarding placement, scheduling, and how divisions are organized.

PlayMetrics and direct Surf communication remain the official sources for final schedules and placement changes.

Interactive progression

Bigger field.
Bigger pictures.
More responsibility.

Foundation

See the ball and solve the moment.

7v7 gives players frequent involvement, manageable distances, and repeated opportunities to solve 1v1, 2v1, and small-group situations.

7v7 · 7 per team
7 per team, including the goalkeeper55-70 yards × 35-50 yards6 × 12 feet

Format comparison

The game changes.
The teaching changes with it.

Each field is drawn to its own published proportions. Player markers show the full player count for both teams.

U9/U107v7
7v7 · 7 per team
Players7 per team
Field55-70 yards × 35-50 yards
Goals6 × 12 feet
BallSize 4
MatchTwo 25-minute halves

See the ball and solve the moment.

7v7 gives players frequent involvement, manageable distances, and repeated opportunities to solve 1v1, 2v1, and small-group situations.

Important current rules +
  • Build-out lines are used
  • Opponents retreat behind the build-out line for goal kicks and when the goalkeeper has possession in the hands
  • The goalkeeper may pass, throw, or roll the ball into play
  • Goalkeeper punting is not permitted
  • Offside is judged only between the build-out line and the goal line
  • Deliberate heading is not permitted
  • Unlimited substitutions may be permitted at stoppages at the referee's discretion
What parents will notice +
  • Frequent involvement
  • Shorter passing distances
  • More visible 1v1 moments
  • Players rotating through several roles
What coaches will emphasize +
  • Maximum touches
  • Simple support
  • Brave decisions
  • Immediate reactions
U11/U129v9
9v9 · 9 per team
Players9 per team
Field70-90 yards × 45-55 yards
Goals6 × 18 feet
BallSize 4
MatchTwo 30-minute halves

See the space and connect the group.

9v9 is not simply 7v7 with two more players. The pictures become larger, decisions happen farther from the ball, and players must begin connecting individual skill with unit and team behavior.

Important current rules +
  • Two additional players per team
  • A longer and wider field with larger goals
  • More space between and behind defensive lines
  • Standard offside generally applies unless an approved U11 build-out-line option is used
  • Deliberate heading remains prohibited at U11 under current IYSA rules
  • The U9/U10 punting restriction does not automatically continue at U11
  • Match duration increases
What parents will notice +
  • Fewer touches in some matches
  • Longer recovery runs
  • More off-ball responsibility
  • Different adaptation speeds
What coaches will emphasize +
  • Scan earlier
  • Use width and depth
  • Connect units
  • Communicate more
U13/U1411v11
11v11 · 11 per team
Players11 per team
Field100-120 yards × 55-80 yards
Goals8 × 24 feet
BallSize 5
MatchTwo 35-minute halves

See the whole game and understand your role.

The Academy's long-term goal is not to rush children into adult tactics. It is to progressively prepare them so the move to 11v11 feels like the next chapter of their development rather than a completely different sport.

Important current rules +
  • Full-size field and goals
  • Eleven players
  • More distinct lines and roles
  • Standard offside application
  • Size 5 ball
  • Longer physical and tactical distances
  • More complex buildup, pressing, and collective defending
What parents will notice +
  • More defined team lines
  • More specific role demands
  • Longer actions away from the ball
  • Greater physical and emotional demands
What coaches will emphasize +
  • Connect the lines
  • Defend collectively
  • Understand the role
  • Lead independently
01 · 7v7

U9/U10

At 7v7, the game should still feel close, active, and personal. Players touch the ball often, experience several roles, and begin learning how individual decisions affect the group.

02 · 9v9

U11/U12

Some players will adjust immediately. Others will need time. A larger field can temporarily expose weaknesses in scanning, movement, fitness, positioning, and decision-making. That does not mean a player is falling behind. It means the game is asking new questions.

03 · 11v11

U13/U14

The full game asks players to connect technical skill, tactical awareness, communication, resilience, and physical effort across a much larger space.

What parents may notice

Growth Can Look Messy

These are often normal parts of learning a larger game. The coaching staff will evaluate whether a player is improving in understanding, technique, courage, work habits, and decision-making, not only whether every play succeeds.

  • More positioning mistakes
  • Players appearing unsure where to move
  • Longer recovery runs
  • Missed passing options
  • Fewer touches in some matches
  • Difficulty judging offside
  • More communication demands
  • Greater differences in physical maturity
  • Adjustment to larger goals and distances
  • Temporary inconsistency
  • Different players adapting at different rates

How training grows

Same player-first standard.
Larger problems to solve.

01

At 7v7

  • Heavy technical repetition
  • 1v1 and 2v1
  • Small support triangles
  • Building from the goalkeeper
  • Simple transition moments
  • Frequent position rotation
02

At 9v9

  • Larger possession pictures
  • Unit relationships
  • Width and depth
  • Playing between lines
  • Switching play
  • Realistic transition distances
  • Increased goalkeeper distribution demands
  • Continued position exposure
03

Toward 11v11

  • Three-line team structure
  • Collective pressing and defending
  • Connecting units
  • Game management
  • Role clarity
  • Larger tactical pictures
  • Physical preparation through soccer
  • Leadership and independence
Keep

✓ Maximum touches

✓ Decision-making

✓ Small-sided games

✓ Creativity

✓ Player ownership

✓ Enjoyment

Avoid

× Adult tactical lectures

× Position-locking

× Conditioning without the ball

× Fear-based coaching

× Punishment running

× Removing creativity for short-term results

Family and coach downloads

Take the transition
with you.

Rules and schedules may change. Current PlayMetrics information, direct Surf communication, and the newest published IYSA competition rules control.

01

7v7 to 9v9 Family Guide

What changes, what parents may notice, and how we will teach the transition.

↓02

Game Format Comparison

A one-page 7v7, 9v9, and 11v11 reference.

↓03

D3L Silver Season Overview

Confirmed placement, current status, and what remains unknown.

↓04

Game Format Rules Quick Reference

Current published format rules with clear verification notices.

↓05

Coach Curriculum Transition Guide

Training priorities from 7v7 through 11v11 readiness.

↓